pH Keeps Going Down

euphoria

euphoria

Active Member
Hi guys,
my pH keeps going down. I add a pH buffer to increase it to 8.3 and a few days later it's back to 8.0, even when the lights have been on all day.
What's causing this and what can I do about it?
FYI - I use SeaChem 8.3 pH buffer. I mix it w/ freshwater and dump it slowly inside the tank, in front of the powerheads so it gets sprayed around the tank.
Thanks:help:
 
lion_crazz

lion_crazz

Active Member
EUPHORIA, what is your kH level? If your kH is low, your pH will not be able to remain stable. However, 8.0 is not really unhealthy. However, test your kH and if that is low, use Kent Super dkH buffer. That is what I used in my tank to stablize my pH.
 
reefnut

reefnut

Active Member
IMO you really shouldn't add buffers to adjust PH. Test your alkalinity and calcium. If they are in line then 8.0 is nothing yo worry about. Are you also adding calcium?? If not it's probably low sense you have been adding buffers.
Anyway, test your alkalinity and calcium and post the results. If you do not have test kits, Salifert makes nice ones.
btw, stop adding the buffer until you test the alkalinity.
 
euphoria

euphoria

Active Member
My alkalinity is 8dkh and my calcium is usually around 460 (although this last time it jumped to 500).
Generally though it's 8dkh, 460 calcium.
Why is it bad to stabilize pH w/ a buffer?
Since you guys are talking about having them in line, is there a table/chart that lists corresponding dkh, calcium and pH levels?
Thanks
 
T

thomas712

Guest
Here is a basic short version of the chart. It does not include pH values.
Alk/ dKH/ Calcium
0.00 0.00 360
0.50 1.40 370
1.00 2.80 380
1.50 4.20 390
2.00 5.60 400
2.50 7.00 410
3.00 8.40 420 (Near sea water)
3.50 9.80 430
4.00 11.20 440 (goal)
4.50 12.60 450
5.00 14.00 460
5.50 15.40 470
6.00 16.80 480
6.50 18.20 490
7.00 19.60 500
 
reefnut

reefnut

Active Member
A PH of 8.0 is fine with your alk at 8 dkh. The only way to bring the PH up and keep it up is to maintain a higher alkalinity level or remove more CO2 from the system. You could bump the alk to 9-10 dkh or higher... my new goal these days is 9-10ish dkh and 430ish ppm calcium. Then I let the PH fall where ever it wants... now it's usually staying around 8.1.
 
euphoria

euphoria

Active Member
thanks guys,
so what would you say?
Is it more important to balance the dkh and CA and let the pH do whatever it wants to do? so in short, if dkh and CA are balanced according to that chart, then wherever pH falls, will that be ok?
i mean what if dkh and CA are balanced and pH is now 7.8, isnt that too acidic?
 
reefnut

reefnut

Active Member
so in short, if dkh and CA are balanced according to that chart, then wherever pH falls, will that be ok?
Pretty much, within reason. Anything between 8.0-8.4 is fine IMO... even 7.8-7.9 could be ok depending on the circumstances.
 
euphoria

euphoria

Active Member

Originally posted by Thomas712
Here is a basic short version of the chart. It does not include pH values.
Alk/ dKH/ Calcium
0.00 0.00 360
0.50 1.40 370
1.00 2.80 380
1.50 4.20 390
2.00 5.60 400
2.50 7.00 410
3.00 8.40 420 (Near sea water)
3.50 9.80 430
4.00 11.20 440 (goal)
4.50 12.60 450
5.00 14.00 460
5.50 15.40 470
6.00 16.80 480
6.50 18.20 490
7.00 19.60 500
Quck question on the above chart. If 8.4 dkH and 420Ca is sea water, then why would BangGuy or anyone in this case want to have a goal of 11.20dkH and 440 Ca?
 
rubberduck

rubberduck

Active Member

Originally posted by EUPHORIA
Quck question on the above chart. If 8.4 dkH and 420Ca is sea water, then why would BangGuy or anyone in this case want to have a goal of 11.20dkH and 440 Ca?
good question, i would like to know also
 
euphoria

euphoria

Active Member

Originally posted by RUBBERDUCK
good question, i would like to know also
Ah mannnnnnn I thought you had the answer. :D
 
T

thomas712

Guest
I have found it optium for corals, coralline growth. And it gives me time to bump it back up with out it dipping into the red zone so to speak.
thomas
 
bdhough

bdhough

Active Member
I use that seachem buffer as well. Is it in a red label bottle? It is supposed to raise alkalinity with every dose. I don't use it alot unless i need to add top off water. Instead i dose with the straight carbonate buffer seachem has which is in a purple bottle and the turbo calcium as well which is a light blue bottle. All three are the dry products. In the year and a half i've been using all three i've found its very hard to over/underdo all three. Of course the larger the tank the easier it is i'm finding as well. My main problem is keeping the alk up.
 
T

thomas712

Guest
All I can say is if you are using seachem then perhaps you may want to get a test kit for borate.
 
bailey52

bailey52

Member
Didnt read the post, too long haha so i may be repeating someone.. Buffer is no good. pH is determined by many things, including Co2 buildup, and lack of macro nutrients like calcium. First you should take out about 3 gals, and get a black trash bag (unsused of course) and line a small bucket with it and pour the water in (the back is more neutral then the bucked will be) and airrate the water vigerously for 24 hours.. then test the ph of that water, if it goes you, you need more surface breakage of your tank, and more circulation. If that is not it, then you need to test for.. say calcium first.. if that is low, you should add a little calcium supliment.. a little, and do it until it increases... should help
 
andrew78

andrew78

New Member
Acrylic is onto something there. Your pH will fluctuate with the lights on. To get a good reading you should test your pH at the same time whenever you test.
 
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